Yesterday, I did my blogging job at the Netopia (Netopi@) Internet cafe in SM City, Cebu City. They’re offering a per minute charging but is very much expensive compared to other internet cafe in Cebu City. The only good thing is that they offer a promo in which users will only pay PhP49.00 for the two hours internet use.
Now, just like what the title of this post say, I really hate the Netopia Internet cafe because of some reasons:
(1) Their computers are not yet upgraded.
I always encountered error everytime I opened web2 websites. I was not really sure what’s the problem with their computers but I guessed the errors were caused by PC’s low memory-capacity.
(2) The Computers are super-restricted.
I downloaded Firefox browser from the net but then I failed to install it because they computer didn’t allow it. I can’t even use the Windows(R) short-cut keys like CTRL-D to show the Windows(R) desktop, CTRL-S for automatically saving documents, and etc.
(3) Internet Explorer installed is obsolete.
I can’t even browse the internet faster, the way I am doing when using Firefox browser. You’ll encounter error if you’ll open another Internet Explorer by just clicking the FILE then NEW WINDOW. It’s actually the Internet Explorer error in which Microsoft failed to fix.
And the bad thing is, it didn’t have a tab browsing capability.
Result
This embarrassing experience that I have with the Netopia Internet Cafe in Cebu City, leads me to think that all Netopia Internet Cafe are just the same. That’s the reason why I decided to use the internet connection of BLITZ Cafe here in Island City Mall, Tagbiliran City (Bohol) instead of going to Netopia Internet Cafe which is just adjacent to the BLITZ Cafe.
Note
I wrote this post not to ruin the name of Netopia Internet Cafe. I am just telling you what I experienced while using their computer.
July 6th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
HEllo,
Naranasan ko rin dito yan sa Dubai.. ang ginawa ko without their knowledge sinira ko yung kanilang supervisor/Administrator password kasi yun lang ang kailan makapasok ka as administrator para maka pag install ka new software then bingo I browse the internet faster…
Cheers
Buddy
July 6th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
i actually tried to check the computer para makapagsagawa ng kunting illegal, kaso maganda ang pagkagawa ng cafe software nila at hindi ko pa rin kabisado hehehe…. kay ano choice kundi umiwas na lang sa ganitong klaseng cafe.
July 6th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Internet cafes like Netopia have some branches with that kinds of computers, out-dated and lower than minimum requirements for internet browsing. I don’t know why but maybe its because they spend more money for the DSL bandwidth and personnel rather than upgrade their computers for the sake of customers.
I tried Netopia during my college years and heck they costed 3 times for printing and research so I made an investment in upgrading my computer and getting a reliable ISP. Up till now, it hasn’t failed me and I’m still using it instead of going to a cafe for that.
I’m also scared that internet cafes may have keyloggers and “eye” loggers that can be dangerous for your email, account, or any personal information. So I just restrict myself from entering an internet cafe, wasting money on renting, and probably safeguard my personal info and accounts from would-be hackers. Netopia is one of the largest internet cafe branches that seems to lack customer satisfaction in all branches.
July 7th, 2007 at 2:32 am
That is so true. Based on my personal experience, lahat ng napuntahan kong Netopia internet shops have very VERY poor internet connections and ang dami pang advertisements! It’s the worst and MOST expensive internet cafe I’ve ever been in! Sa amin kasi, it costs P39/ hour! Kamusta naman yun. There are a lot of internet cafes that offer P25/hour and mas maganda pa. It puzzles me nga kung paano pa sila umaasenso.
July 7th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
In my case in Angeles City when my Internet connection dies on me (nung wala pa akong redundant connection), I try to look for other netcafes since you’re right mabagal sa Netopia. However, I didn’t have some hard time downloading some apps - FTP, etc. I dunno. Baka case by case basis lang or FTP is not one of those software that the system blocks.
July 7th, 2007 at 5:06 pm
well, it’s really better to avoid renting netopia’s computer… just a waste of money.
as of writing this comment, i am using the Gaisano Metro’s internet Connection at their Mario Toy Land. The connection is faster, and with better computer compared to netopia’s. Plus…. I am only paying PhP20.00 /hour.
July 8th, 2007 at 6:07 am
I actually wrote something about Netopia more than a year ago here. I was thinking the next time I get into any of their branches, dala ako ng portable apps, try ko kung gagana un. Pero, nontheless, walang kwenta tlga….
July 16th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
oo nga